Criminal investigation in France into TikTok for impact on children's mental health

French authorities have opened a criminal investigation into the TikTok platform, following allegations that the platform allows content that encourages suicide and that its algorithms could push vulnerable young people towards dangerous acts.

According to the Euronews source, this intervention comes after a lawsuit filed by several French families, a parliamentary investigation into the psychological impact of TikTok on children, as well as reports from Amnesty International and the French Senate highlighting similar risks, writes the Euronews Health source, reports Gazeta Shneta.

The Paris prosecutor's office said the investigation would look into content that "promotes suicide" and whether the company had complied with legal obligations to notify authorities of potential violations.

The police cyber brigade will also investigate cases of "propaganda for suicide methods" or illegal transactions linked to organized crime.

In its response, TikTok denied the allegations, stressing that the platform has over 50 safety features to protect teens and that "nine out of ten harmful videos are removed before they are viewed."

If the investigation leads to charges and convictions, those found guilty could face years in prison and fines.

Last year, seven French families sued TikTok, accusing it of failing to monitor dangerous content.

Two of them lost their children, including 15-year-old Marie Le Tiec, who was exposed to videos encouraging suicide. Her mother said TikTok's algorithm had "normalized depression and self-harm," turning it into a distorted sense of belonging.